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Queensland Reef and Islands Discovery

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 Trip Length
13 Days
 Trip Starts
Brisbane
 Trip Finishes
Cairns
13 Day Queensland Reef and Islands Discovery Itinerary (APT)
Countries Explored: Australia
Trip Operator
Trip Style
Small Ship Cruise
Trip Code
XPCQB13

Overview

Read reviews and enjoy exclusive savings on APT's 13 Day Queensland Reef and Islands Discovery. Discover the beauty of Australia’s East Coast as you sail aboard a small ship from Brisbane to Cairns.

Itinerary

Welcome to Brisbane, where we'll meet and transfer you to the MS Caledonian Sky. Tonight gather for a welcome reception and dinner as you begin your cruise bound for Fraser Island. Stay 12 Nights: MS Caledonian Sky (D)

Voyage along the secluded shores of the world's largest sand island, World Heritage-listed K'gari (Fraser Island). Anchored in Kingfisher Bay, enjoy free time to relax or go snorkelling this afternoon. (B/L/D)

Today you will have the day to explore this natural wonder on an island tour. Wriggle your toes in the sand and head out to explore a patchwork of freshwater lakes, crystal-clear creeks, rainforest and immense dunes of coloured sands. Discover the island's wildlife, including dingoes, take a dip at Lake McKenzie, and look to the ocean to search for dugongs and dolphins. (B/L/D)

Cruise to Lady Musgrave Island, one of the Great Barrier Reef's most iconic locations. Here you can snorkel and admire the beauty of the world below the surface as you come face-to-face with the remote island's diverse marine life. You can even take the opportunity to swim with the many sea turtles that call the tropical haven home. (B/L/D)

Cruise through the stunning Percy Islands group and land on Middle Percy Island. Learn about the fascinating history of this rarely visited island. There are several walking trails to choose from to further explore its hidden gems. (B/L/D)

If island hopping is your thing, today will be one to remember. You have a full day to explore the spectacular Whitsundays in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. Drag yourself away from secluded beaches and warm turquoise water to go hiking on the islands with your naturalist guides. (B/L/D)

Today, explore the wonders of Magnetic Island. Start with a scenic cruise around the island's crystal-clear waters before embarking on a coach tour with local guides, learning about the island's rich history and experiencing what it's like to live in the tropical paradise. Enjoy some free time at picturesque Horseshoe Bay before returning to the MS Caledonian Sky. (B/L/D)

Discover historic Cooktown, which dates to the 1870s. Follow in the steps of Captain Cook as you walk through the main street and visit the Botanical Gardens and James Cook Museum. Here you will find original artefacts from the HMB Endeavour and learn of the story of Cook's landing from an Indigenous perspective. Afterwards, head up to Grassy Hill with a local guide, and take in the view of the Coral Sea and Endeavour River, where Cook and ship naturalist Joseph Banks first saw a kangaroo. (B/L/D)

Jump aboard Zodiacs to visit Restoration Island, named by Captain William Bligh when he landed here in 1789 aboard his 17-foot boat during his epic journey following the famous mutiny on the Bounty. Bligh and his men spent time here to recover from their exertions. The food they found restored their spirits before they set sail for Timor. (B/L/D)

At Thursday Island learn of the history and culture of the Torres Strait people and the pearling industry. Visit the Gab Titui Cultural Centre and mix with the locals. Thursday Island played a major part during World War II, and you will see remnants of that period. You will then cruise to the tip of Australia, setting foot on the continent's northernmost point, Cape York. Here is the perfect place to watch the sunset with a glass of bubbly in hand. (B/L/D)

Spend time on Stanley Island, which is part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Here you can spot barracuda swimming around the reef's edges. You'll also feast your eyes on the technicolour wonderland of the coral sites, where colourful parrot fish, blue and yellow fusiliers, neon wrasses and clownfish swim. (B/L/D)

After a day filled with Signature Experiences, sit back and enjoy sunset drinks. (B/L/D)

Signature Experiences:
  • Enjoy a full day to explore private Lizard Island, with the chance to be active or simply to relax on the beach. The fittest walkers can rise early for Cook's Look Walk. After about 90 minutes' walking to reach 350 metres above sea level, enjoy the view Captain Cook had when he was searching for a way through the maze of reefs. Alternatively, visit the Australian Research Museum, a world-renowned marine research station working on reef recovery efforts. There are other walks to choose from: an easy two-hour birders walk with an ornithologist on sandy beaches and through the rainforest, or a medium-grade nature and history walk led by expedition staff. Snorkelling is also offered, with the possibility of seeing green turtles which feed along the beaches at low tide.

After breakfast, disembark in Cairns and transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B)

Trip Inclusions

  • Visit remote islands on the Great Barrier Reef, including Lizard Island
  • Stand at sunset on the northernmost tip of Australia, Cape York
  • Visit Cooktown and see where Captain Cook beached the HMB Endeavour
  • Be guided around World Heritage-listed K'gari (Fraser Island), including iconic Lake McKenzie
  • Hike through the Whitsundays with a naturalist guide and snorkel in the warm waters

  • Included return airport transfers, porterage and cruise gratuities
  • Expert APT Expedition Leader and expedition team

  • Locally inspired dining - a total of 35 meals and a wide range of onboard beverages

  • 12 night expedition cruise aboard the MS Caledonian Sky.

  • Daily cruise Itinerary and timings subject to change
  • Zodiac Activity – This tour includes the use of Zodiacs for sightseeing or accessing ports
  • Travel insurance is mandatory on all cruises
  • Visit to the Australian Research Museum is subject to opening, and subject to limited availability
  • Prices are for land/cruise only. Flights not included
4.0
AVG. RATING 4.0 / 5
1 Review
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Qld Reef and Island Discovery 0 , QLD, Australia, Nov 2021
We would book with Global Journeys again and this is our 3rd very happy trip with APT. Caledonian Sky was fabulous. Staff, food, music, rooms all first class. However, we wouldn't do a cruise again on this particular ship because of the zodiacs. They are difficult to sit on for any length of time and quite often you get very wet which is to be expected ...read more I suppose. On another APT cruise they used Explorers and we found them so much better. Overall tho, we really had a fabulous holiday.
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Prices & Dates

There are currently no departures available on this trip. Either it's the end of the season and new departures will be released shortly, or this itinerary has been changed and will no longer continue. Feel free to contact us for information about when next seasons dates will be released or click here to view the general release dates for all destinations.

Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by APT. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from APT. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.

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